Can you drink beer and boat in Wisconsin? 5 things you need to know about the law.

A powerboat enjoyed an outing last fall on Lake Michigan in the Milwaukee Harbor(Photo: Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Did you know that Wisconsin doesn't actually have boating licenses?

Instead, the Department of Natural Resources issues what's called a boating safety certification card, similar to a driver's license.

It's required for "any operator of a motorboat or personal watercraft," according to the DNR. The permit is required for operators born in or after 1989; those born before 1989 are not required to have a permit.

No license is required for operating canoes, kayaks or sailboats without motors.

What is the age limit for piloting a boat?

There are different age limits for various types of watercraft.

Kids under 10 are not allowed to operate motorboats. At 10 and 11, they're allowed to pilot motorboats if someone is with them who either has boat safety certification or was born before 1989. Once someone turns 12, he or she can receive their boating safety certification.

Kids under 12 are not allowed to operate personal watercraft such as jet skis. Kids 12 and over can pilot a personal watercraft as long as they're certified. However, you have to be at least 16 years old to rent or lease a personal watercraft.

Does my boat need to be registered?

Yes. Boats are just like cars in that they need a paper title and a form of identification physically on the boat. You can register your boat at the DNR website, where you'll need to fill out an application for a Wisconsin Certificate of Number. After registering, you'll also need to display the registration number and expiration decal somewhere on the front half of the boat where it's clearly visible, just like a car's license plate and expiration decal.

No registration is required for small sailboats without a motor (less than 12 feet long), a sailboard or manually powered watercraft like a kayak or canoe.

Megan Wallskog, of Mequon, carries supplies in her boat before while heading across Lower Nemahbin Lake to her and her husband’s property on Sugar Island in the Village of Summit.(Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

No, but you must have one life jacket or personal flotation device for each person on board. You're required to wear one at all times if you're under 13 or if you're piloting a personal watercraft.

If you're on a boat that is 16 feet or longer, you're also required to have at least one personal flotation device for the boat in addition to the individual life jackets or flotation devices. There are different types and classes of life jackets for different situations, so make sure you have the right ones before you go out on the water.

What happens if I get pulled over?

First, you should know that different authorities have jurisdiction in different waterways. If you're on Lake Michigan or another federal waterway, the Coast Guard has primary authority, but if you're on one of the rivers of Milwaukee, either Milwaukee Police or agents from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources can cite or arrest you.

You can get pulled over for various infractions, including violating speed limits and wake restrictions. You can also be cited for obstructing other watercraft, dumping trash into the water, overloading your vehicle with more than the standard capacity and having people ride on the edges of your vehicle because of the dangers it imposes.

A man in a kayak checks out flooding on the river at Village Park in Thiensville.(Photo: RIck Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Can I drink and boat?

State law says you can't be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while behind the wheel, whether you're on a boat or in a car. The law also says that once you've gotten behind the wheel, you automatically give consent to a breathalyzer test or other OWI tests.

It's safest to designate someone to pilot the boat sober if you plan on bringing alcohol aboard.

Bonus: You also can't drink and surfboard, or drink and water ski according to Wisconsin state law.